Anyone Here Going to Oberlin?

[arnoldschnitzer]

I've been asked to serve as a faculty member at this coming June's institute at Oberlin, the week of the 10th. Topics will be bass making, repair, set-up, etc. This will be a hands-on situation. I am curious for your comments/suggestions. Thanks!

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Congratulations! My buddy is an alumnus of their music program; I'd be happy to put you in touch so you can pick his brain.

[eerbrev]

Man, now I wish I could go!

i'm not sure if you're looking for lesson plan suggestions or anything. One thing you could maybe do is common misconceptions that players have about instruments (things you see on here that drive you crazy, for example ). What are common questions people ask you in your daily work? those questions might be a good place to start. Other than that, my only suggestion could be "emergency situation stuff", such as "I have a gig in ten minutes, and just opened my case to find the bridge has fallen over. What do I do?" Nothing beats having a great relationship with a luthier, but being able to do some work on your own instrument in a pinch can be a lifesaver.

I hope some of these ideas help, and if this isn't what you're looking for, just disregard.

cheers,

Alex

[ctregan]

Is this a week long workshop?

A good topic would be bass geometry 101; Body length, stop length, break angle, overstand ht, etc., etc.
It is interesting, how intertwined they are, and, changing just one, can effect all the others.

[arnoldschnitzer]

Originally Posted by ctregan

Is this a week long workshop?

A good topic would be bass geometry 101; Body length, stop length, break angle, overstand ht, etc., etc.
It is interesting, how intertwined they are, and, changing just one, can effect all the others.

Shame you missed my lecture/demo at the VSA last year--that was pretty much the subject (the attendance was overwhelming--about 15! ). Yes, it's a week-long hands-on workshop for aspiring and experienced luthiers. Hope you can make it!

[Schoolhouse]

I attended the first Oberlin VSA bass workshop and have every intention of doing it again. It is intense. Everyone learned an incredible amount. Be prepared for long days. The camaraderie with bass people from all over the world is amazing. Glad to have Arnold on board. Yes, it is a weeklong workshop, living in a dorm, working in the sculpture studio, and eating communal meals.

[james condino]

Thanks for reminding us of this Arnold. It is on my list for this summer. If I had one request for the week, it would be to make sure you forget about all of the nerdiness and make some time to go out for a few pints after hours!

j.

[Schoolhouse]

After the first day, most guys were in the studio from 8:00 until they locked the building at 11:00. A guy's gotta sleep sometime!
There are rumors of a special Bass Ale. What's wrong with nerds?

[james condino]

I believe that just by the fact that any of us are here on TB implies that we are all bass nerds.....

When I looked at the Oberlin website, they mentioned that space is limited an you have to apply and be accepted in order to attend the workshops in the past, and then they want full payment for everything by April. Is this still the case for this year? Will I be able to attend the acoustics workshops if they are going on concurrently in a drop in manner, or am I only allowed to attend the ones I sign up for?

thanks,

j.

[eclements]

Hello...new to this space. I hope to go to the Oberlin Bass workshop this Summer and hang with Arnold. Congrats btw!

[arnoldschnitzer]

James, I believe the bass and acoustics workshops go on concurrently, and there is some cross-pollination. Tuition is $650 and rooming about $250 or so. Jay will have a detailed e-brochure ready soon, and I'll publish the link asap. Emory, I look forward to the hang!

[Jay VandeKopple]

Yes, the housing will come in at @225 for the week, but that doesn't include food. This year we're looking at changing dorms to either East or Asia. They don't have A/C, but there are a bunch of box fans to share around.

For food, people will be on their own for breakfast and lunch, but the Oberlin Workshops usually like to work it out to have dinner together. Due to alumni events on campus that week, we won't have a large kitchen to cook for ourselves, so are arranging for using a cafeteria for dinners, and we can all gather on one side. We're trying to finalize fees on that yet.

Once I get a chance to go over the brochure with Arnold and David, we can get it out, along with an application form (in which you'll give contact info and a bit about your experience). Once l collect the forms, we'll send a participant list to Oberlin, and they'll bill for the Worshop and housing.

The Bass Workshop is a great opportunity, in that luthiers get a week to talk about common concerns and share ideas. Hope to see some of you there.

[JasonBurnham]

Is this going to be for bass players in general or luthiers?

[arnoldschnitzer]

This is for professional and amateur luthiers. It would also be a good course for luthiers who work on other string instruments who want to learn more about bass work. Dr. VandeKopple has just finished the e-brochure and will get a link posted shortly. Space is limited, and an application must be submitted and approved.

[arnoldschnitzer]

Here is the link:http://www.catgutacoustical.org/conf/basswk12.htm

[james condino]

'Got my application in!

[Mike Goodbar]

Arnold, I'd be happy to lend you an old blockless wonder I have for the purposes of repair demonstration under the proviso that it be returned to me fully restored by the end of the workshop. Just tell me where to drop off the bushel basket

[chuck3]

Not I, but my current teacher went to Oberlin.

[360guy]

I sent my application in yesterday. It sounds like a great time. I hope I'm accepted.

[Cody Sisk]

I really want to go! Crunching the numbers..